June 4th, 2020

To our SJAM Students and Families,

As we witness  and  process a movement of what may be leading to  unprecedented and long-overdue social and political change, I appreciate the raw emotion that many of us are experiencing, and I do want to highlight that we are not all experiencing these events in the same way. These events are trauma inducing for many of our ACB students, who have been subjected to anti-Black racism their entire lives.

On June 3rd, 2020,  school staff became aware of  inappropriate, racially-motivated social media posts. We take these incidents very seriously and are investigating the situation fully. Social media posts or messages challenging the legitimacy of one’s lived, racialized experiences are never appropriate.  Our priority is to ensure that our schools remain safe places where all students experience a caring learning environment that addresses their well-being. We also know that each of us can learn, grow and expand our own equity consciousness.

My heartfelt apologies to all those impacted by this social media exchange and wish to express our disappointment with this event. SJAM staff and students have done much work to focus on inclusion, acceptance and respect  – and we have more work to do. The content of this social media exchange does not define us as a school community.

We are proud of the students that brought this issue forward and their refusal to allow it to continue.  Thank you to these individuals who have brought the matter to our attention This allows us to do our due diligence in respect to the issue.

We are working to action anti-Black racism work in our school, and of WRDSB. I will always do all that I can to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Please feel free to call the SJAM  Administration at 519-880-9979 with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Vida Collis
SJAM Principal

Categories: News